Sheep or Shepherd?

Let me preface my thoughts with this: When I say "teachers" I use the word to include anyone who interacts with children and is even remotely responsible for their education. No one in a school should be exempt. Having said that, let's think about our role in that educational process. In familiar Bible stories I grew up with, shepherds pop up many times and I thought how fun that might be; to walk along poking lambs and ewes, sitting quietly and watching them graze. On the other hand, the sheep, as it was pointed out to me later, are not the brightest of animals. They need a lot of guidance and prodding and are really quite defenseless.

Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Like the shepherd in ancient times, lying down in the doorway of the fold to keep his flock safe, Jesus is also that door. It is through Him we must walk if we are to be kept safe and as humans, we too, are defenseless against evil, if we are without a shepherd. So what does that say to us as "teachers?" We sometimes are the sheep because our role finds us following someone else's guidance, rules, or prodding. Yet we have the awesome task of being the shepherd to our students. Our families expect that we will keep our students safe, guide them, provide for them and seek them out when they wander. (Wandering can happen in many ways.)

As this week unfolds and many of us are returning to school to prepare our hearts, minds, and rooms for the beginning of another year, think of Jesus, your Shepherd, every time you walk through the doorway of your room, or your office, or even the front door. Whisper Jesus' name as you enter, asking Him to shepherd you and help you be the shepherd you need to be to your "sheep". Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Ask for His strength and guidance. It's there for you in abundance.